Iran – Spain preview: Huge task awaits Team Melli against Europe’s elite

Persianfootball.com – KAZAN, While anyone would have expected Iran to lead group B ahead of Spain, Portugal and Morocco after the first matchday, Team Melli now have to build on their situation and try to somehow hold off Spain in the second game.

While this seems almost a mission impossible, same had applied to their second group match versus Argentina four years ago, but an inspiring Iran team held the later finalists to a goalless draw until the final minute of the game, before being denied a point by a late Lionel Messi masterpiece.

After the opener in Brazil had been a similarily unattractive event, a dull goalless draw against Nigeria, Team Melli’s display versus the South American giants had differed a lot, with Iran creating much more chances than anyone would have expected.

With the fact that Iran’s second game at a World Cup traditionally is their strongest, there is some hope for Iran, who also have developed under Carlos Queiroz a lot since then.

Of course Iran’s main focus will be laid on the defense. In absence of Rouzbeh Cheshmi, who will not be able to play again in this tournament due to a muscle injury sustained in Sunday’s training session, the main question is who will replace the 24-year-old in central defense.

Youngster Majid Hosseini seems to have good chances, considering he came on as late substitute versus Morocco, but considering the 21-year-old only has to caps to his tally so far and only broke into Esteghlal Tehran’s starting lineup this year, Queiroz might opt for the much more experienced Pejman Montazeri.

Also Mohammad-Reza Khanzadeh, who like Cheshmi has gotten a lot of minutes in Iran’s friendly matches since qualifying last spring, would be an option. But the 28-year-old could also be used as right-back instead of Ramin Rezaeian, who’s more offensive interpretation of the right-back position might be the wrong approach against Spain.

In defensive midfield, Saeid Ezatollahi will undoubtedly return. Omid Ebrahimi, who did a splendid job in the first match and fully recovered from his rib injury, might be moved to the right central midfield position in the 4-3-3, to help destroying Spain’s build-up. That would mean both veteran playmakers Masoud Shojaei and Ashkan Dejagah would start on the bench.

On the left fast-paced Milad Mohammadi might return to the starting lineup as left-back while Ehsan Hajsafi could return to the midfield, where he is usually paired with Ezatollahi.

Upfront, Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Sardar Azmoun will certainly start, while the left-wing position ist more disputed. Vahid Amiri did a great job against Morocco and might be the most likely alternative, considering his stamina and good mix of offensive and defensive skills. But also the often unpredictable Mehdi Taremi might be given the nod while Karim Ansarifard, one of Queiroz’s favourite players, could also be installed on the left, which would add additional aerial power.

Certainly the Portuguese coach will have one or the other surprise in his starting lineup, which again is very hard to predict.

This won’t concern the Spaniards too much though, as they traditionally concentrate on their own strengths. Interim coach Fernando Hierro has a pool of 23 world class players available and will undoubtedly be up to dominate the proceedings for the full 90 minutes and grab very vital three points.

There is little reason to make any changes to the lineup in comparison to the 3-3 opening game draw against Portugal, with maybe right-back Daniel Carvajal returning from injury.

Iran will surely not even try to win dominance in midfield, and instead focus on closing all gaps in the defensive third and hit Spain with some surprise counter attacks and hurt the big favourites with set pieces.

While the Iranians are clear underdogs in this game, there are two facts which can cheer their fans up; regardless of the result against Spain, Iran will still be in the race for the knockout stage until the third game against Portugal is finished. And, should Iran surprise the whole world with a win against the former World Cup winners, they would be already qualified for the next round.

Iran – Spain
World Cup 2018, Group B, matchday 2, Kazan

Possible line-ups:

Iran: Beiranvand – Rezaeian/Khanzadeh, Pouraliganji, Montazeri/Hosseini, Mohammadi – Ebrahimi, Ezatolahi, Hajsafi – Jahanbakhsh, Azmoun, Amiri/Ansarifard

Spain: de Gea – Nacho/Carvajal, Ramos, Pique, Alba – Busquets, Thiago, Iniesta, Isco, Silva – Costa